I don't think the boards bad, if I did I wouldn't hang around. I just don't understand when some are told that what they're replying is offensive why they shrug their shoulders and ignore them. I'm not saying everyone needs to be a people pleaser just civil. Of course the very people this thread speaks of will probably continue to poke fun though.

I would say that I am aware of my own status as one of giving and taking quite a bit on this board. Most of it is in good fun, but there are occasions when I get irritated with someone and say something that I probably shouldn't. That being said, there are also those here who have a tendency to get rather melodramatic about things that they perceive to be offensive. As a result, I tend to look more at who is telling me they are offended and then evaluate whether what I said was offensive. There are people here that I value their opinions a great deal and there are people here that I have little respect for their opinions. That isn't to say I hate the person, just that I find that they have a high level of immaturity, self-love, or similar that does not resonate well with me.

Also, oftentimes what you see as rudeness is the culmination of a rather long relationship between two people or a group of people. I read some of the things that I have responded to others in earlier posts and think, "wow, that came off rather harsh", but at the time, it was more just banter and matching of wits than anything else...

Could the boards be more civil? Yes, probably so. Could they be more inviting to newcomers and inquirers in particularly? I would say definitely so. I think if there is one thing that I would change it would be the coldness that is displayed to people who are interested in Orthodoxy, but haven't really taken any concrete steps. All too often do I see inside jokes and banter thrown around in those threads, and that probably should not take place. In all fairness, I am probably guilty of doing that myself, so I am pointing at myself on that as much or more than at anyone else.

Sounds like these boards are a fairly accurate representation of Orthodoxy to outsiders.

Of course, it is sometimes annoying but my gosh, it's a conversation, isn't it? Even if it is online and not face-to-face. I don't really feel like it's up to me to dictate how other people talk, and sometimes you can learn something interesting, even if the topic goes way off. I tend to say whatever pops into my head anyway; things remind me of other things and sometimes it can be a bit confusing for anyone who's conversing with me, in real life.

Actually, booger-eaters have increased immunity to disease over non booger-eaters. There was a study. (I'm waiting for another study to say that booger eating is still disgusting, regardless of the alleged immunity boost given by booger eating.)

Logged

Quote from: GabrieltheCelt

If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.

Quote from: orthonorm

I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.

I was so disappointed to find out that velociraptors were that small. If I find enough fossilized velociraptor DNA in amber-trapped mosquitoes, I'm so going to make them as big as they were in Jurassic Park. And train them to open all manner of doors. And unleash them in Las Vegas with little cameras on their heads to stream the mayhem live to You Tube.

Logged

Quote from: GabrieltheCelt

If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.

Quote from: orthonorm

I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.

I was so disappointed to find out that velociraptors were that small. If I find enough fossilized velociraptor DNA in amber-trapped mosquitoes, I'm so going to make them as big as they were in Jurassic Park. And train them to open all manner of doors. And unleash them in Las Vegas with little cameras on their heads to stream the mayhem live to You Tube.

Especially since their head are apparently right at a man's crotch level. Oh what jolly good entertainment that shall be!

I was so disappointed to find out that velociraptors were that small. If I find enough fossilized velociraptor DNA in amber-trapped mosquitoes, I'm so going to make them as big as they were in Jurassic Park. And train them to open all manner of doors. And unleash them in Las Vegas with little cameras on their heads to stream the mayhem live to You Tube.

Especially since their head are apparently right at a man's crotch level. Oh what jolly good entertainment that shall be!

No, no My genetically re-engineered velociraptors will be taller.

Logged

Quote from: GabrieltheCelt

If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.

Quote from: orthonorm

I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.

I don't understand why some reply to posts with anything but what the topic is about. Some even just post a reply that only complains about the topic for various reasons and some of those are to would-be converts. I mean if a topic bothers you because you've seen it before or because you think its stupid then why even read it? Why not just ignore it all together? We're supposed to be Christ-like and I just believe that our reply's should reflect that.

Stepping down off of soap box......

I don't read the Convert Forum posts very much, but I've seen things like this all over the forum, and I think you have a point.

Logged

My only weakness is, well, never mind

He said he had a horrible houseI looked in it and learnt to shut my mouth

I don't understand why some reply to posts with anything but what the topic is about. Some even just post a reply that only complains about the topic for various reasons and some of those are to would-be converts. I mean if a topic bothers you because you've seen it before or because you think its stupid then why even read it? Why not just ignore it all together? We're supposed to be Christ-like and I just believe that our reply's should reflect that.

Stepping down off of soap box......

I don't read the Convert Forum posts very much, but I've seen things like this all over the forum, and I think you have a point.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

When I am caustic and realize it is convert issues, I delete it immediately.

People here tend to have many problems with social life in RL, that's OK, well if you can't manage an internet board that isn't held hostage to exactly how you want things, RL is never going to get better for you either.

This is a well moderated place. Christiannews or whatever is laughable with the hit and miss moderation.

Sorry, but I know the mods here take their jobs seriously and spend much time doing their jobs according the letter of the law set down here. Show a little gratitude.

And as a user, if you don't like a place, change it. I've been doing internetz for decades and have been hearing this stuff since day one, so here I offer you all what works if you don't like the content on a group or board:

Post higher quality content than what you find lacking.Post most often.Ignoring behavior you don't like is the best way to punish it.

Look at me, after all this is what this thread is basically about, so you are looking over here. I change this place in ways I think is better. The sanctimonious, uninteresting, non-challenging time suck that many threads can be get around here are altered often with a post or two by me into something I find more interesting.

Guess who is primarily responsible for doing that? The folks who complain about it. You offer the content I want. You just gotta be made to produce it.

I am not the only who is capable of doing this: Gebre, Habte, Achronos, Icondule, Isa, Romaios, PtA, William, JamesR, Marc, LBK, pasadi just quickly off the top of my head are able to do this as well in their own ways. And I don't like the content necessarily they provide or provoke.

If your post count on a board is above a few thousand posts and you are not able to control the flow of a board or your own reactions to it, some self-reflection is in order.

In short, be interesting. Not everyone can be. And not everyone is going to tell you are.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

Logged

The true Orthodox way of thought has always been historical, has always included the past, but has never been enslaved by it. . . for the strength of the Church is not in the past, present, or future, but in Christ.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Logged

The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.

You have to admit that there are a few posters who simply love to belittle others at any and every opportunity they get.

It's not part of fruitful discussion. In fact, it closes down the discussion because the other party is now humiliated, angered, or simply intimidated from replying further.

Being nice to someone, speaking politely, not belittling others,....is not a sign of weakness.

Being rude and obnoxious is not a sign of intelligence or superiority.

+1

The 'off topicness' stuff is just part of a discussion board.

The other part does not -have- to be.

Amen Liza! Well said.

Selam

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

And if (when) people reject Orthodoxy because of this behavior, they (Orthodox) will be held responsible for their actions. It's good you were able to work through the gratuitous slurs and remarks. I wonder how many didn't.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Because they didn't like OC.net? That's weird.

No, because people here represent Orthodoxy and when a large number of Orthodox people act like farm animals no one wants to join the church filled with hypocrites.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Because they didn't like OC.net? That's weird.

No, because people here represent Orthodoxy and when a large number of Orthodox people act like farm animals no one wants to join the church filled with hypocrites.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

Who are we to pick and choose who's to become Orthodox. It's our Fathers Church. We have to ask ourselves, would God want them?

Logged

The true Orthodox way of thought has always been historical, has always included the past, but has never been enslaved by it. . . for the strength of the Church is not in the past, present, or future, but in Christ.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

Who are we to pick and choose who's to become Orthodox. It's our Fathers Church. We have to ask ourselves, would God want them?

Some, for whatever reason, appear incapable of seeing the big picture. There seems to be a lot of "self" being promoted instead of "others".

I see this site as kind of a family. We fight and bicker with each other, but we also are there for each other and help one another when someone is going through a tough time. Regardless of the people that I fight with here, I'm glad that they are here and provide their perspective. I'm happy when someone new joins the family and gets involved in discussion, but this isn't church. We can discuss the silly, mundane parts of our lives as well as the important life altering parts. If this forum was merely for educational purposes only to learn about Orthodoxy, I would say it doesn't do a great job of that. But that is not the purposes of the forum. If I wanted that, I would go somewhere like Monachos where it is more educationally oriented.

I like what Orthonorm said a few posts back. Each of us are responsible for guiding and directing any particular thread that we are a part of. If you don't like the direction it is going, don't gripe or condescend; redirect it.

I see this site as kind of a family. We fight and bicker with each other, but we also are there for each other and help one another when someone is going through a tough time. Regardless of the people that I fight with here, I'm glad that they are here and provide their perspective. I'm happy when someone new joins the family and gets involved in discussion, but this isn't church. We can discuss the silly, mundane parts of our lives as well as the important life altering parts. If this forum was merely for educational purposes only to learn about Orthodoxy, I would say it doesn't do a great job of that. But that is not the purposes of the forum. If I wanted that, I would go somewhere like Monachos where it is more educationally oriented.

I like what Orthonorm said a few posts back. Each of us are responsible for guiding and directing any particular thread that we are a part of. If you don't like the direction it is going, don't gripe or condescend; redirect it.

Very well put. I find I'm becoming more selective in the threads that I follow. I will give many of them a look at first, but later avoid them when discussion goes in a direction that doesn't interest me. Some topics don't interest me right from the beginning so I don't even start with them.

As for individual members of the board, I think I've been around long enough (both here and in life) to see where people are coming from. Some annoy me, some challenge me, some inspire me. I choose how I'm going to react. One thing I don't do as often as I should is be openly appreciative of messages that I find of value.

If all of us were gathered physically in one room, there would be a few chummy cliques, a few shouting matches, lots of [beverage of choice], many of us floating around the room getting involved in different discussions, a few wallflowers, even the occasional grandstander. Sounds like any large group gathering to me.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Because they didn't like OC.net? That's weird.

No, because people here represent Orthodoxy and when a large number of Orthodox people act like farm animals no one wants to join the church filled with hypocrites.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

^^ Exactly. To add to it, I would find it highly suspicious they were even catechumens anyway since going to church is a whole lot different than posting on OC.net.

Who decides not to go to a church because of what they find on an online message board??

Do you seriously have to put up a disclaimer saying: "THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL ORTHODOX CHURCH, blah blah blah"?

« Last Edit: October 12, 2013, 11:18:54 AM by Achronos »

Logged

“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Because they didn't like OC.net? That's weird.

No, because people here represent Orthodoxy and when a large number of Orthodox people act like farm animals no one wants to join the church filled with hypocrites.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

^^ Exactly. To add to it, I would find it highly suspicious they were even catechumens anyway since going to church is a whole lot different than posting on OC.net.

Who decides not to go to a church because of what they find on an online message board??

Do you seriously have to put up a disclaimer saying: "THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL ORTHODOX CHURCH, blah blah blah"?

We do live in a world where such disclaimers are commonplace in advertising, especially automobile ads.

Some, for whatever reason, appear incapable of seeing the big picture. There seems to be a lot of "self" being promoted instead of "others".

Sadly I believe you're right. I'd put a forum on my site and moderate tighter if I could get the same traffic.

Logged

The true Orthodox way of thought has always been historical, has always included the past, but has never been enslaved by it. . . for the strength of the Church is not in the past, present, or future, but in Christ.

Some, for whatever reason, appear incapable of seeing the big picture. There seems to be a lot of "self" being promoted instead of "others".

Sadly I believe you're right. I'd put a forum on my site and moderate tighter if I could get the same traffic.

You have to start somewhere. The traffic here is pretty low. Thing is I've seen this happen many, many times. The sanctimonious folks on forums really have nothing to offer or say or generate in terms of interest. When they start up new and "more polite" forums, those places die and they lurk back with the "mean" folks before joining back in.

BTW, once another forum went another route and banned me and a handful of others for "personality differences". Guess what? The place was ghost town within a year. People really didn't like visiting a place where people just agreed about the trivialities of being nice. Most people have nothing to say or offer. The personality difference ended up being between having one and not.

The third outcome is having lotsa turn over by "newbies" / converts / whatever to a place where the same thread gets made every other day.

There is nothing stopping you from creating your own forum. Heck, maybe your "church" when it doesn't live up to you own expectations. Who knows?

I see this site as kind of a family. We fight and bicker with each other, but we also are there for each other and help one another when someone is going through a tough time. Regardless of the people that I fight with here, I'm glad that they are here and provide their perspective. I'm happy when someone new joins the family and gets involved in discussion, but this isn't church. We can discuss the silly, mundane parts of our lives as well as the important life altering parts. If this forum was merely for educational purposes only to learn about Orthodoxy, I would say it doesn't do a great job of that. But that is not the purposes of the forum. If I wanted that, I would go somewhere like Monachos where it is more educationally oriented.

I like what Orthonorm said a few posts back. Each of us are responsible for guiding and directing any particular thread that we are a part of. If you don't like the direction it is going, don't gripe or condescend; redirect it.

Very well put. I find I'm becoming more selective in the threads that I follow. I will give many of them a look at first, but later avoid them when discussion goes in a direction that doesn't interest me. Some topics don't interest me right from the beginning so I don't even start with them.

As for individual members of the board, I think I've been around long enough (both here and in life) to see where people are coming from. Some annoy me, some challenge me, some inspire me. I choose how I'm going to react. One thing I don't do as often as I should is be openly appreciative of messages that I find of value.

If all of us were gathered physically in one room, there would be a few chummy cliques, a few shouting matches, lots of [beverage of choice], many of us floating around the room getting involved in different discussions, a few wallflowers, even the occasional grandstander. Sounds like any large group gathering to me.

People really didn't like visiting a place where people just agreed about the trivialities of being nice. Most people have nothing to say or offer. The personality difference ended up being between having one and not.

I don't think anyone expects us all to agree on everything. The issue is that when we disagree that we treat one another with respect.

Quote

You have to start somewhere.

You are about that. I'm giving it consideration.

« Last Edit: October 12, 2013, 03:01:02 PM by orthodox4life »

Logged

The true Orthodox way of thought has always been historical, has always included the past, but has never been enslaved by it. . . for the strength of the Church is not in the past, present, or future, but in Christ.

As I suggested, the OP should remain if the Convert Issues area if they would a more moderated environment. The mods (Thomas being in charge last time I checked) do a great job enforcing the rules there and everyone tends to abide by them anyway.

I don't think moderating the rules is what we're talking about and I agree that the rules are watched well. I think we're mostly talking about how people speak to each other. There's not really a forum rule about being rude. When I was a potential convert I remember debating beliefs and some here all but got into arguments with me. Because this board was my first impression of Orthodoxy, I almost left and never entered the faith.

Also there are many here, myself included, who are new to Orthodoxy. I've asked a couple of questions where I was spoken to like I was an idiot.

I am glad that you stayed. I have received a couple of good bye PMs here at OC.net from ex-catechumens who finally decided that enough was enough. They went back to their Baptist or Catholic Churches.

Because they didn't like OC.net? That's weird.

No, because people here represent Orthodoxy and when a large number of Orthodox people act like farm animals no one wants to join the church filled with hypocrites.

"When a large number of Orthodox people"... SRSLY? How large is that group of Orthodox who post here, compared to the total number of Orthodox in the world? To be honest, I'm not sure I would want joining the Church anyone who takes such a tiny sample of Orthodox nerds as representative of the whole of the Orthodox Church.

^^ Exactly. To add to it, I would find it highly suspicious they were even catechumens anyway since going to church is a whole lot different than posting on OC.net.

Who decides not to go to a church because of what they find on an online message board??

Do you seriously have to put up a disclaimer saying: "THE OPINIONS HERE MAY NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL ORTHODOX CHURCH, blah blah blah"?

Is one a catechumen before inquiry, before research, prior to asking any questions? If not, you missed the point by a huge margin.

I see this site as kind of a family. We fight and bicker with each other, but we also are there for each other and help one another when someone is going through a tough time. Regardless of the people that I fight with here, I'm glad that they are here and provide their perspective. I'm happy when someone new joins the family and gets involved in discussion, but this isn't church. We can discuss the silly, mundane parts of our lives as well as the important life altering parts. If this forum was merely for educational purposes only to learn about Orthodoxy, I would say it doesn't do a great job of that. But that is not the purposes of the forum. If I wanted that, I would go somewhere like Monachos where it is more educationally oriented.

I like what Orthonorm said a few posts back. Each of us are responsible for guiding and directing any particular thread that we are a part of. If you don't like the direction it is going, don't gripe or condescend; redirect it.

Very well put. I find I'm becoming more selective in the threads that I follow. I will give many of them a look at first, but later avoid them when discussion goes in a direction that doesn't interest me. Some topics don't interest me right from the beginning so I don't even start with them.

As for individual members of the board, I think I've been around long enough (both here and in life) to see where people are coming from. Some annoy me, some challenge me, some inspire me. I choose how I'm going to react. One thing I don't do as often as I should is be openly appreciative of messages that I find of value.

If all of us were gathered physically in one room, there would be a few chummy cliques, a few shouting matches, lots of [beverage of choice], many of us floating around the room getting involved in different discussions, a few wallflowers, even the occasional grandstander. Sounds like any large group gathering to me.

Very well said.

Logged

Quote from: GabrieltheCelt

If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.

Quote from: orthonorm

I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.

We do live in a world where such disclaimers are commonplace in advertising, especially automobile ads.

I'm thinking more "Surgeon's General Warning"

WARNING: Getting all or most of your Orthodoxy from the Internet may be harmful or fatal to your spiritual health.

Post of the month nominee.

Logged

The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.